2009 O Scale National Convention in Baltimore, Maryland (MD) - by Baltimore O Scale Society, LLC and The Baltimore Society of Model Engineers, O Scale, Model Train Show, Model Trains, Model Train Cars, Model Engineers, National Convention of Model Engineers, Model Contests, O Scale Convention Cars, Baltimore & Ohio Troop Express Car, Railway Express Agency Troop Express Car, Red Diamond Troop Express Car, B&O Transportation Museum, Baltimore Streetcar Museum, Towson University, Towson Maryland (MD)

RAILROAD RELATED ATTRACTIONS

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum
www.borail.org

No visit to Baltimore by anyone with an interest in railroads would be complete without a visit to the world-renowned B&O Railroad Museum at what was literally the birthplace of American railroading. Since the collapse of the Roundhouse roof in a 2003 snowstorm, the museum has undergone extensive reconstruction and improvements, so that even if you have been there before you really need to return and see the improvements, additions and restorations. Get right up close to the latest restorations in the Car Shop, view the operating layouts, ride the train, and take in the real history of railroading that is all around you in this gem of a facility. The Baltimore O Scale Society is proud to be able to include visits to the B&O Railroad Museum as part of its 2009 National O Scale Convention activities.

The Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad
www.maandparailroad.com

How familiar are you with the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad, the "Famous Ma & Pa"? Are you aware that a portion of the line has been retained and is open for operation?

Muddy Creek Forks, in southeastern York County, Pennsylvania, is the home of the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad Preservation Society, who, in concert with the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad Preservation Authority of York County, are restoring the remaining portion of the original line through the Muddy Creek Valley as well as the village of Muddy Creek Forks.

There aren't many operations such as this. The visitor is offered the opportunity to observe not only vintage railroad equipment, but also the village it served, complete with the historic trackside mill and the intact general store containing the post office and ticket window, and how the two were intertwined. Train rides on work-crew equipment and docent-led tours of the village are available on Sundays during the summer.

Visit this unique undertaking at www.maandparailroad.com

The Strasburg Railroad, since 1832
www.strasburgrailroad.com
Open daily in July.

Strolling through the historic East Strasburg Station and the neighboring town of Strasburg, exploring the engines and rail cars up-close and riding beautifully restored trains are so much fun that you'll almost forget that you're immersed in a richly educational experience … learning about steam railroading, agriculture, Amish culture and PA Dutch heritage. Enjoy all we have to offer. And, the memories you'll take with you.

The larger-than-life coal-burning steam train is just the beginning. Ride the Cagney Steam Train, a miniature version; operate a hand-powered Pump Car or watch the little ones "steer" the pint-sized Cranky Car. Browse the Thomas™ Toy Store. Discover an amazing railroad bookstore and railfan shop filled with apparel and merchandise. Visit Our Shops. Don't forget to bring your appetite. You can enjoy food, drinks and entertainment while riding aboard Strasburg Rail Road, or grab a bite at our Trackside Café. See Dining Options.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania www.rrmuseumpa.org
Open daily in July.

Across the road from the Strasburg Railroad is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, where you can explore a world-class collection of more than 100 locomotives and rail cars on display, including the priceless Pennsylvania Railroad Historical Collection.

Includes:
http://www.rrmuseumpa.org/about/roster/index.shtml

In addition to the locomotives and rolling stock, the Museum displays an extensive collection of railroad objects including lanterns, china, tools and accessories, clocks, watches and minutia that accumulates around railroads and rail yards.

The Museum regularly hosts exhibits depicting railroad art and photography as well as related railroad materials.

Locomotive Cab Simulator: Visitors may climb up into the cab of a steam or diesel locomotive to see the controls, but to experience the feel of how the engineer operates a train, there's nothing better than our cab simulator! It's built from a real Norfolk Southern diesel locomotive cab. We've installed realistic operating controls and a video monitor to help you guide the train from Lancaster into Harrisburg. Museum Store.

National Toy Train Museum
www.nttmuseum.org
Open daily in July.

And nearby the Strasburg Railroad and Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is the National Toy Train Museum - another world-class collection.

Headquarters of the Train Collectors Association, at Strasburg, PA 300 Paradise Lane, in Paradise Township, PA

Contains one of the most extensive toy train collections in the world. Exhibits are arranged by track gauge, plus special exhibits showing historical and rare collections, and groupings by manufacturers. Extensive collection of books, magazines, catalogs, repair manuals, videos, films, photographs and other information on toy trains and their manufacturers.

Train videos run continuously on a large screen television system.

Museum Store: A variety of toy trains, accessories, games, books, and more -- for all members of the family.

The entire building is handicapped accessible.

The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
www.wmsr.com

Hey rail fans! Do you like seeing real a steam locomotive in action? If so, you won't want to miss the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad while you are in Baltimore for the 2009 O-Scale Convention. Located just 2 ½ hours due west in Cumberland, Maryland, the WMSRR has one of the finest active steam engines east of the Mississippi. The restored 2-8-0 closely resembles the locomotives used by the Western Maryland Railway right up to the end of steam in 1954. In fact, when you see that steam engine drift by within a couple of feet of your toes as you wait on the platform, and you see that classic WM Fireball emblazoned on the tender side, you'll have a hard time believing that it's NOT 1954. After you board the train, your first experience will be to pass through the Narrows, a natural gateway that allowed early settlers (and a young George Washington) through the Allegheny Mountains on their way west.

Next, you'll want to have your camera ready for Helmstetter's curve. Have you ever owned a "Steam Era Classic" freight car by Atlas O? If you have, take a look at the back of the blue box it came in. The picture you'll see there is Helmstetter's curve. I would suggest that you take a seat in a car towards the back of the train just so you can better experience the sight and sound of the hard working 2-8-0 on this part of your journey.

Your destination is Frostburg. Once you are there, you'll leave the train to grab a bite to eat at any one of several eateries. Also, you'll find a carriage museum with many beautifully restored pieces from horse and buggy days. But don't go too far. You won't want to miss it when they turn the locomotive on a turntable and run it around to the other end of the train for the trip back down the mountain. The entire trip will take about 3 or 3 ½ hours. You will depart from and return to the original WM station in Cumberland. Departure time in the past has been at 11:30 AM. Check the website at www.wmsr.com for the latest on departure times and other information about the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.

The Baltimore Society of Model Engineers
www.modelengineers.com

The year was 1932. At the time, there was no Model Railroader magazine. In fact, there was no organized model railroad hobby, no standards for such a hobby, no hobby shops, and no NMRA. The only publication for interested hobbyists was a little 10-cent magazine called The Modelmaker. Despite this - or maybe because of this - thirteen young men with an interest in model railroading decided to form a club in Baltimore. They followed the example of other clubs that had formed in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Los Angeles, and elsewhere, who then wrote about their experiences in the pages of The Modelmaker. Of all these other clubs, only the New York Society of Model Engineers survives today. The Baltimore Society of Model Engineers also survives as the second oldest model railroad club in the country.

Like many of the early clubs, the BSME built its first layout in O-Scale, using an outside third rail system. Also, like others, the BSME started an HO Division in the 1940's. By the 1970's, the HO Division was flourishing while the O Division nearly went the way of most of the original members who had either moved on or died. However, in 1978, a small group from the HO side came to the rescue. With the help of a half dozen new members, over the next two years they converted the O Division layout to 2-rail and reduced the amount of trackage, favoring instead more scenery and structures. The appearance of the layout today is a testament to their dedication and hard work.

The BSME is proud to be a sponsor and host of the 2009 O-Scale Convention. We welcome you to Baltimore and invite you to visit us while you are here. In the mean time, please take a look at us through our web site at www.modelengineers.com.